EU CLIMATE CHANGE RELATIONSHIP STRONG WITH INDIA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000964 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2019 TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EUN EWWT KGHG SENV TPHY TRGY TSPL SUBJECT: EU CLIMATE CHANGE RELATIONSHIP STRONG WITH INDIA, WEAK WITH CHINA REF: BRUSSELS 918 Classified By: Economic Minister Counselor Peter Chase, Reasons: 1.4 (b ) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. In separate meetings held with the Mission of China to the EU and the Embassy of India, Chinese and Indian counterparts confirmed what USEU EconOff learned in conversations with the European Commission (see reftel): that the EU has a robust with China is almose that beforlnp`opand Li bQort to bring its people out f poverty took priority. He stressed that India has already undertaken a significant effort to reduce its energy use and increase its share of low carbon energy sources, referencing the recently signed nuclear pact with the United States and efforts to increase solar power capacity. However, he argued that efforts to prevent India from using fossil fuels would be unacceptable, echoing Chinese comments that per capita energy consumption is a fraction of that in industrialized countries, and India will continue to grow. When asked about the concept of cooperative efforts to develop clean technologies instead of direct technology transfer, particularly given India,s sizable human and intellectual capital, Lokesh pushed back, saying India is not advanced, and it would be best for industrialized countries to supply technology so India can catch up. He did, however, agree that India,s ICT sector could be leveraged to promote green partnerships. He added that India has a strong relationship with the EU on climate change, noting an EU-India working group and other bilateral relationships on energy. ¶4. (C) Comment. Following up on the meeting with the European Commission official in reftel, the meetings with the Chinese and the Indians displayed the large divergences in EU relations between the major emerging economies. While both China and the Commission were quick to note the positive aspects of the U.S.-China relationship on climate change, there was a clear signal that the EU holds a close relationship with India. There is an opportunity to leverage this relationship as we work with the EU. The Commission appears receptive to discussing how to engage major emerging economies ahead of Copenhagen. End comment. MURRAY .